Zane & Mabel’s POV
"Where is Mabel?" I snapped, my voice sharper than I meant.
Vivian looked up from her plate of quiche, fork halfway to her mouth. "Why should I know?"
I gritted my teeth. "I asked you to take her to the festival."
She gave me a shrug. "Are you expecting me to skip breakfast and neglect my duties because Mabel needs company?"
Heat rushed up my neck. I could feel the growl rumbling in my chest. "Vivian, did your courage grow overnight because I let you slide after she got drunk last night?"
Her face paled. She set the fork down quickly. "I apologize, Alpha. I did tell her I’d go with her, but we didn’t set a time. I planned to check once the guests were settled."
Not good enough. I pushed back from the table and stalked toward the kitchen.
Tina was by the window, sipping coffee, eyes unfocused.
"Where is Mabel?" I demanded.
She blinked. "She left for
Mabel’s POV“Coach, wait up!”Ronan froze mid-step as a teenage girl hurried toward him, her ponytail bouncing. She was clutching something against her chest like she couldn’t wait to drop it.Ronan squinted past her, as if expecting someone else. “Where’s Rosie?”The girl’s cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry, Coach. My sister… she found her mate last night.”His shoulders sagged. “So she won’t make it?”She shook her head, guilt flashing in her eyes. She shoved the bundle into his hands, muttered an apology, and darted away before he could say anything else.Ronan stared down at the scraps of cloth and ribbons she’d left behind. His jaw tightened as he dragged his feet to the bench. He dropped onto it with a groan. “I hope this isn’t a sign for the rest of the day.”I leaned closer to Nena. “Who&rsq
Mabel’s POV"Iver, quit yelling my name like that," I said, grinning anyway as I spotted him waving at me from the field.He looked sharp in his dark gray jersey with the silver wolf outline, number seven on the back. The low divider kept us apart, but the way he waved made it feel like we were only steps away.I raised a hand in return, hoping his voice hadn’t cut through the noise too much. Music thumped in the background, laughter rolled across the seats, and yet Iver still managed to draw attention.Predictably, Finch caught it first. He jogged over, wearing the same jersey with a bold number five. His smile stretched wide."Good that you made it.""I said I’d come cheer, didn’t I?" My voice carried fine without shouting.From the corner of my eye, I noticed Ronan look up. He scanned the crowd, spotted me alone, and motioned me over. His mental link must have nudged the others, because the
Zane & Mabel’s POV"Where is Mabel?" I snapped, my voice sharper than I meant.Vivian looked up from her plate of quiche, fork halfway to her mouth. "Why should I know?"I gritted my teeth. "I asked you to take her to the festival."She gave me a shrug. "Are you expecting me to skip breakfast and neglect my duties because Mabel needs company?"Heat rushed up my neck. I could feel the growl rumbling in my chest. "Vivian, did your courage grow overnight because I let you slide after she got drunk last night?"Her face paled. She set the fork down quickly. "I apologize, Alpha. I did tell her I’d go with her, but we didn’t set a time. I planned to check once the guests were settled."Not good enough. I pushed back from the table and stalked toward the kitchen.Tina was by the window, sipping coffee, eyes unfocused."Where is Mabel?" I demanded.She blinked. "She left for
Mabel’s POV“Patient with what? You’re not making sense.”Zane’s arms stayed locked around me, his voice low against my ear. “There are things I need to explain. Not now. Just… don’t leave until I do. Promise me that.”I tilted my head, trying to read his face. His eyes gave nothing away, only a tension he didn’t bother to hide. “Fine. When you’re ready, you know where to find me.”His breath warmed my neck. “Thank you, Mabel.”I froze. His tone wasn’t casual. It was raw. The kind that settled into my chest and refused to leave. I wanted to ask what he was hiding, but if I pushed, he’d shut down. So I let him hold me, soaking in the heat of his body like it was the last time I’d get it.By the time I slipped out of the study, the house was buzzing. Laughter, footsteps, dishes clinking in the kitchen. Guests filled the
Mabel’s POV"Oho, I wasn’t sure you’d even make it!"Dawn’s voice hit me like a cymbal crash. My head throbbed. I winced and squinted at her from the doorway. The kitchen was alive with clatter and steam, every counter already claimed. Tina stirred a pan with the precision of a drill sergeant, Zina chopped vegetables like she wanted to punish them, and Dawn stood over pastry molds with flour dusting her cheek."I did," I muttered. My voice sounded rough, even to me."Looks like hangover," Zina said flatly. She slid a tiny packet across the counter toward me. "Take two. Fifteen minutes and your head will stop screaming."I didn’t argue. I tore the packet open. Before I could search for water, Dawn shoved a glass into my hand."Drink. Hydration matters," she said, her grin too cheerful for my aching skull.I swallowed the pills, then gave them both a faint smile. "Thanks."Tina barel
Mabel’s POV"Miss Mabel, may I have a word?"I froze on the last step. Sullivan stood in the hall, tall and steady, his voice smooth but serious.My legs still throbbed from yesterday’s workout. All I wanted was to hide in the kitchen, but here was the future Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack calling me out like I mattered."You… want to talk to me?" I asked.He nodded once. "In private, please."Private? My chest tightened. My room was out of the question, and his even worse. I cleared my throat. "The garden, then.""Lead the way, Miss Mabel." He smiled faintly, like the words themselves carried weight.That “Miss” again. I didn’t know whether to blush or bolt.The morning air was cool as we stepped into the garden. My legs dragged. Sullivan noticed."Are you hurt?" he asked.I tried to stand straighter. "It’s nothing. Don’t worry."